Toronto Blue Jays are placing their faith in Bowden Francis as he prepares to pitch in Saturday’s road game against the Philadelphia Phillies, despite a challenging recent stretch. It has been nearly two months since Francis last recorded a win, but manager John Schneider remains confident in the 6-foot-5 right-hander’s ability to turn things around.
Struggles and Managerial Support Amid Difficult Performances
Francis currently holds a 2-8 record with a 6.12 ERA for the season, having lost six consecutive decisions following a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on April 18. He has allowed 19 home runs in just over 60 innings pitched, ranking second in the American League for home runs allowed. Despite this, Schneider highlights Francis’ overall 2024 numbers — an 8-5 record with a 3.30 ERA — as the reason he stays in the starting rotation.
Schneider expressed trust in Francis’s capabilities after his last outing, where the pitcher gave up four runs on five hits, including back-to-back homers, plus five walks over 3 1/3 innings in a loss to Minnesota. Schneider said,
“We trust him. He’s shown that he can do it. We’ve just got to figure a way to get him back on track.”
“We need him. That’s the bottom line. We need him to help contribute and be the pitcher he can be.”
—John Schneider, Blue Jays Manager
Command Issues and Self-Assessment from Francis
One of the main issues Francis faces is his lack of control, posting an average of 3.58 walks per nine innings. The 220-pound pitcher acknowledges these struggles, explaining that poor sequencing and falling behind in counts have made pitching more difficult.
Francis said,
“Some of it is falling behind. Some of it is sequencing stuff, when sometimes I put myself in a hole with some pitches and there’s less room for error.”
He added,
“I’ve got to continue to keep diagnosing, keep diving into what’s going on and trying to figure it out, because I’m not doing what I want to do right now.”
Challenging Prospects Facing Francis in Philadelphia
Francis faces a tough assignment against the Phillies, who recently won the first game of their three-game interleague series 8-0 on Friday night. In their previous meeting at Toronto on June 3, Philadelphia scored seven runs in just 1 2/3 innings against Francis in an 8-3 victory.
Trea Turner and Bryce Harper hit home runs during that outing, contributing to Francis’s 0-2 record with a 10.38 ERA in three career appearances against the Phillies. He has allowed five home runs across fewer than nine innings in those games.
Phillies’ Starting Pitcher Cristopher Sanchez Poses Another Challenge
The Phillies will counter with left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, who carries a 5-2 record and a 3.10 ERA for the season. Sanchez boasts a 3-0 record with a 1.80 ERA in three starts against the Blue Jays and has won three of the team’s last four games.
Sanchez last pitched in a close 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing two runs on six hits with nine strikeouts over seven innings. Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson commended Sanchez’s recent performances, noting,
“The velocity was down a little bit tonight. It just shows you he can pitch without velocity. He’s got that great changeup, and his slider has really improved. You know, changeup to righties, slider to lefties. He just needs to attack more with his fastball.”
Sanchez has been consistent in limiting runs, allowing three or fewer in 11 straight starts. During the June 3 game against Toronto, he gave up only one run on a home run to Davis Schneider, with four hits and four walks over six innings.
Implications of Francis’s Performance and What Lies Ahead
Bowden Francis’s next start against Philadelphia represents a crucial opportunity for him to regain form and provide valuable innings for the Blue Jays’ rotation. His struggles with command and home runs allowed have tested the team’s patience, but managerial confidence suggests Toronto is willing to support his improvement.
The upcoming game will also test Francis against a strong Phillies lineup and a sharp opposing pitcher in Cristopher Sanchez. How effectively Francis manages his control and adjusts on the mound could play a significant role in the Blue Jays’ efforts to maintain their competitive edge in the league.